Newcastle United 'line up' £35m-rated Euro 2024 star as Michael Olise alternative
The latest transfer talk from St James Park as Newcastle look to continue their positive start to the summer transfer window.
Newcastle United are reportedly keen on a move for one of the stars of the opening weekend of Euro 2024 as they face significant competition in the race to sign Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise.
The Eagles star is believed to have been the subject of an enquiry from Newcastle over the last week as they look to improve their options in wide areas - but they are far from the only suitor for the France Under-21 international after the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich were all credited with an interest in the former Reading man.
Olise is believed to have a release clause of around £60m in his current deal at Selhurst Park and Newcastle are aware of what it would take to make the winger their biggest summer signing. But with competition coming in the form of some of European football’s biggest clubs, the Magpies hierarchy are said to be considering alternatives and that could lead them to rekindle their interest in one of their targets from last summer’s transfer window.
After completing a move for AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali, the Magpies were believed to have held talks with Juventus winger Federico Chiesa and a report from GiveMeSport has now claimed the Italy international is on United’s radar once again. Significantly, the report also states Chiesa is ‘open’ to a move to the Premier League, despite receiving enquiries from Serie A duo Napoli and Roma in recent days. The former Fiorentina winger will enter into the final 12 months of his current deal at Juventus this summer and that could allow Newcastle to negotiate a lower fee than the £45m demand they reportedly faced last summer.
That could all change if Chiesa continues to replicate the man of the match performance he put in during Italy’s 2-1 win against Albania in their opening game of Euro 2024. The 26-year-old was in fine form as Luciano Spalletti’s side saw off their dogged opponents thanks to goals from Alessandro Bastoni and former Magpies transfer target Nicolo Barella. Speaking ahead of the tournament, Chiesa expressed his desire to help his country to success and hinted at a possible new role that could also be of interest to Newcastle.
Speaking to the official UEFA website ahead of the tournament, he said: “After EURO 2020, I wanted to get into the top figures in football, but unfortunately I tore my cruciate ligament and had a long rehabilitation process. My objective has always been to get back to the top. I am 26 years old, there is time and I want to prove from these Euros just what I am made of. The Italian mentality has changed with the development of modern football and Spalletti is following that path too, trying to keep the ball, try to create chances, while at the same time running as few risks as possible in defence. On a personal level, I played more centrally in my club, whereas Spalletti gives me greater freedom to either cut inside or go wide on the flank.”
Chiesa will be back in action on Thursday night when Italy face Spain in their second group stage game.